Kenya’s Health Ministry has reported two new cases of mpox, raising the country’s total to 33 confirmed infections. The new cases were identified in Kericho and Taita Taveta counties, with the outbreak now spreading across 12 counties.
Mary Muriuki, Principal Secretary at the Health Ministry, stated that 225 contacts have been identified, of which 216 completed a 21-day monitoring period. Nine of these contacts tested positive for mpox.
The government has intensified efforts to manage the outbreak, including active case searches, contact tracing, investigations, and confirmation of symptomatic cases. Public education campaigns have also been launched to inform citizens about mpox prevention and control measures.
Mpox, a viral disease related to smallpox, is characterized by high fever and skin lesions. In 2022, outbreaks were reported in over 70 countries, prompting the World Health Organization to declare it a public health emergency of international concern.
While Kenya deals with its growing outbreak, the Democratic Republic of Congo remains the most affected country in Africa, with over 49,000 suspected cases and 1,100 deaths recorded across the continent since January 2024, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.